By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Alex Eala’s campaign in the Wimbledon women’s doubles tournament came to an early end after she and Czech partner Nikola Bartunkova suffered a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat to Jelena Ostapenko and Sofia Kenin in the opening round in London yesterday (Philippine time).

The Filipina-Czech tandem made an impressive start, storming to a 3-0 lead in the opening set before Ostapenko and Kenin trimmed the deficit with consecutive games.

Eala and Bartunkova regained control by winning two of the next three games to secure the first set, but momentum shifted in favor of the Latvian-American duo in the succeeding sets.

After a 2-2 deadlock in the second frame, Ostapenko and Kenin reeled off three straight games to build a 5-2 cushion.

Eala and Bartunkova managed to hold serve once more, but their opponents closed out the set to level the match.

Ostapenko and Kenin carried that momentum into the deciding set, dominating play to complete the comeback victory in one hour and 53 minutes and advance to the next round.

Despite the doubles setback, Eala remained in contention in the singles draw after producing a strong come-from-behind victory against Australia’s Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

The win allowed the 21-year-old Filipina tennis sensation to reach the Wimbledon third round, her first time to move past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Eala standout is set for her biggest test yet as she faces defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland for a place in the Round of 16./ASC, WDJ